US7686625B1

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Publication number: US7686625B1
Application number: US12/266,578
Authority: US
Inventors: Jacob M. Dyer; Matthew Edward MOSTOLLER
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Corp
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
Priority date: 2008-11-07
Filing date: 2008-11-07
Publication date: 2010-03-30

Abstract

The invention is directed to a grounding clip which can provide an electrical connection between a ground wire, a first panel and a second panel. The grounding clip has a wire terminating section for terminating a grounding wire thereto, a first panel receiving portion for terminating a first panel therein, and a second panel receiving portion for terminating a second panel therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a one piece grounding clip for use in establishing an interconnection between a conductor and two conductive panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Grounding clips are known generally and used widely, for example to fasten electrical conductors or wires to conductive appliance panels while providing an electrical contact therebetween. Known grounding clips comprise generally a U-shaped panel contact section, and a wire contact section disposed adjacent to a curved portion or bight of the panel contact section opposite an open end thereof. In other grounding clips, the wire contact section extends axially from the bight of the clip. It is known also to provide one or more barbs protruding from inner sides of the panel contact section to provide improved electrical contact with the panel.

Examples of known grounding clips include the grounding clip shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,959 entitled “Grounding Clip”. This grounding clip has a stamped and formed member having a U shaped section with opposed walls extending from a bight for engagement with a panel. Tines or serrations are struck inwardly from each wall to grip the panel. A wire contact section is offset from the U-shaped panel. A centrally disposed strain relief arm extends from the U-shaped section, and any force transmitted from the wire to the clip is in the form of a straight pull extending through the centrally disposed strain relief arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,310 discloses a panel-grounding contact which includes a wire-connecting section and a panel-connecting section which has a deep U-shaped channel between walls. The walls include opposed pairs of teeth which extend toward the channel bottom and which are staggered inwardly from the channel entrance. The points of the teeth are adapted to scrape away corrosion layers of a conductive panel during mounting of the grounding clip onto an edge thereof as well as to secure the contact on the panel. The wire-connecting section extends orthogonally with respect to the panel edge after mounting of the clip onto the panel.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,947 discloses a grounding clip having a generally U-shape spring clamp which has first and second opposing walls which extend from a curved base portion thereof. The first and second walls each having a leading edge portion opposite the curved base portion. The spring clamp is fastened to a panel with the curved base portion disposed over the panel edge, the first wall of the spring clamp adjacent one side of the panel and the second wall thereof adjacent the other side of the panel. A wire fastening member, preferably the crimping type, extends from first wall of the spring clamp between the curved base portion of the spring clamp and the leading edge portion thereof. When the spring clamp is fastened to the panel, the wire fastening member and wire fastened thereto are adjacent the corresponding side of the panel and spaced apart from the panel edge, whereby only the curved base portion of the grounding clip protrudes beyond the panel edge.

Other grounding clips are shown in Tyco Electronics Application Specification 114-13095 (2006 Mar. 7 Rev B) entitled “Grounding Clip Terminals with ‘F.’ Crimp Features”. Although all the prior art grounding clips recited above fasten electrical conductors or wires to conductive panels while providing an electrical contact therebetween, their use is limited to instances in which one or more wires are ground to one panel. In instances in which a wire is to be electrically ground to more than one panel (i.e. ballast can and ballast lid), another grounding clip must be used. It is, therefore, desired to provide a one piece ground clip which is capable of grounding the conductor(s) to more than one conductive panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Tines may extend inwardly from proximate edges of the first outside wall and the second outside wall. The tines may also extend inwardly from proximate edges of the inside wall. The tines are inclined inwardly relative to the respective first outside wall and the second outside wall and extend toward the respective first bight portion and second bight portion. The tines have sharp points to facilitate making an electrical connection with a respective first panel and a respective second panel when the first panel is inserted into the first panel receiving portion and the second panel is inserted into the second panel receiving portion.

The wire terminating section may extend from the first outside wall of the first panel receiving portion. A transition section may be provided on the wire terminating section to space a crimp section of the wire terminating section from the first outside wall.

The invention provides the advantage of having a one piece grounding clip which can be used to ground two or more panels. Consequently, grounding of the panels is simplified, as multiple grounding clips need not be used.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a grounding clip of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of blank of the grounding clip ofFIG. 1 prior to forming.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 1 showing a wire and panels terminated thereto.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 2 showing a wire and panels terminated thereto.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of a grounding clip of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of blank of the grounding clip ofFIG. 6 prior to forming.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 6 showing a wire and panels terminated thereto.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 7 showing a wire and panels terminated thereto.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a grounding clip of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of blank of the grounding clip ofFIG. 11 prior to forming.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 11 showing a wire and panels terminated thereto.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the grounding clip ofFIG. 12 showing a wire and panels terminated thereto.

FIG. 16 is an illustrative partial perspective view of a ballast with three grounding clips therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The grounding clips2,102,202 are intended to provide an electrical interconnection between aground wire4, afirst panel6 and a second panel8 (as best shown inFIGS. 4 and 11). The grounding clips2,102,202 are stamped and formed from a conventional spring metal such as stainless steel or tin plated phosphor bronze or any other material that has the resilient and electrical characteristics required to conduct current thereacross and to properly engage the components, thereby providing grounding between theground wire4, thefirst panel6 and thesecond panel8. In the embodiment shown, the grounding clips2,102,202 are intended for use with 18 gauge wires, although grounding clips of this type could be used for other wire sizes. The grounding clips2,102,202 are suitable for use with a plurality of different panels having different thicknesses and formed of different materials. In particular, the same grounding clip could be used to establish an interconnection to 0.022 inch thick aluminum panels, 0.024 inch thick painted steel panels and/or 0.033 inch galvanized steel panels. It should be understood that grounding clips according to this invention can be fabricated in different sizes and could be employed with panels having more or less thickness and fabricated of different conductive materials.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, groundingclip2 has a generally S-shaped panel terminating orcontact section10 and a wire terminating orcontact section60. The S-shapedpanel contact section10 has a firstpanel receiving portion20 and a secondpanel receiving portion40. The firstpanel receiving portion20 has a pair of

oppositely facing walls

22 and24 extending from acentral bight26. Both electrical and mechanical interconnection to thefirst panel6 is established by tines orserrations28 formed inwardly along theedges30 ofwall22 of the firstpanel receiving section20. These tines orserrations28 protrude inwardly from thewall22 and form an inclined gripping engagement with thefirst panel6. Eachtine28 is inclined inwardly relative to thewall22 and extends toward thebight26. Thetines28 have a greater retention force when subjected to a straight pull exerted on the firstpanel receiving portion20 than when subjected to a force tending to impart rotation to the firstpanel receiving portion20. The tines orserrations28 have sharp points which facilitate digging into thefirst panel6. Since thetines28 are inclined towards thebight26, the firstpanel receiving portion20 can be inserted onto the edge of thefirst panel6. During insertion the tines orserrations28 will be deflected inwardly. It can readily be seen that it would require a greater extraction force to remove the firstpanel receiving portion20 from thefirst panel6 than the force required to insert the firstpanel receiving portion20 onto thefirst panel6.

The secondpanel receiving portion40 has a pair of

oppositely facing walls

42 and24 extending from acentral bight46. Both electrical and mechanical interconnection to thesecond panel8 is established by tines orserrations48 formed inwardly along theedges50 ofwall42 of the secondpanel receiving section40. These tines orserrations48 protrude inwardly from thewall42 and form an inclined gripping engagement with thesecond panel8. Eachtine48 is inclined inwardly relative to thewall42 and extends toward thebight46. Thetines48 have a greater retention force when subjected to a straight pull exerted on the secondpanel receiving portion40 than when subjected to a force tending to impart rotation to the secondpanel receiving portion40. The tines orserrations48 have sharp points which facilitate digging into thesecond panel8. Since thetines48 are inclined towards thebight46, the secondpanel receiving portion40 can be inserted onto the edge of thesecond panel8. During insertion the tines orserrations48 will be deflected inwardly. It can readily be seen that it would require a greater extraction force to remove the secondpanel receiving portion40 from thesecond panel8 than the force required to insert the secondpanel receiving portion40 onto thesecond panel8.

As is best shown inFIG. 2, the firstpanel receiving portion20 and the secondpanel receiving section40 havewall24 in common.Bight26 extends from afirst edge32 of thewall24. The open end of the firstpanel receiving recess36 is formed in the firstpanel receiving portion20 opposite thebight26.Bight46 extends from asecond edge54 of thewall24. The open end of the secondpanel receiving recess56 is formed in the secondpanel receiving portion40 opposite thebight46. As best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the open end of the firstpanel receiving recess36 and the open end of the secondpanel receiving recess56 face in opposite directions. Although the open ends face in opposite directions in the embodiment shown, other configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

As best shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, thewire contact section60 extends from thewall22 of the firstpanel receiving portion20. Thewire contact section60 has acrimp section62 with astrain relief section64 of conventional construction suitable for establishing an electrical connection to the stripped end of aninsulated wire4. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of thecontact section60 is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thebight26. No portion of thewire contact section60 extends into the extended space of the firstpanel receiving recess36. Consequently, as shown inFIG. 4, neither thewire contact section60 nor thewire4 will interfere with the insertion of thefirst panel6 into the firstpanel receiving recess36.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, theground wire4, thefirst panel6 and thesecond panel8 are positioned in electrical engagement with thegrounding clip2.Crimp section62 is crimped to theground wire4, placing thegrounding clip2 in electrical engagement with theground wire4.Strain relief section64 engages theground wire4 to provide a strain relief to theground wire4. The

tines

28,48 engage the

panels

6,8 respectively to provide a grounding path therebetween. As the

panels

6,8 are inserted into the grounding clips2, the

tines

28,48 will exert pressure on the surfaces of the

panels

6,8 thereby providing a wiping action as the insertion occurs to remove any contamination or corrosion on the surfaces of the

panels

6,8. This provides a reliable electrical connection between the

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, groundingclip102 has a generally S-shapedpanel contact section10 and awire contact section160. The S-shapedpanel contact section10 has a firstpanel receiving portion20 and a secondpanel receiving portion40. As the S-shapedpanel contact section10 is identical to that described forgrounding clip2, the detailed explanation will not be repeated. However, inFIGS. 6 through 10 the same numbers will be used to reference the same parts.

As best shown inFIGS. 6 through 8, thewire contact section160 extends from thewall22 of the firstpanel receiving portion20. Thewire contact section160 has acrimp section162 with astrain relief section164 of conventional construction suitable for establishing an electrical connection to the stripped end of aninsulated wire4. In this embodiment, thecontact section160 has atransition section166 which extends from thewall22 to thecrimp section162. Thetransition section166 allows thecrimp section162 and thestrain relief section164 to be spaced from thewall22. Additionally thetransition section166 allows thecrimp section162 and thestrain relief section164 to have their longitudinal axis positioned in a line which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thebight26. This configuration is generally referred to as a right angled version. No portion of thewire contact section160 extends into the extended space of the firstpanel receiving recess36. Consequently, neither thewire contact section160 nor the wire will interfere with the insertion of thefirst panel6 into the firstpanel receiving recess36.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, theground wire4, thefirst panel6 and thesecond panel8 are positioned in electrical engagement with thegrounding clip102.Crimp section162 is crimped to theground wire4, placing thegrounding clip102 in electrical engagement with theground wire4.Strain relief section164 engages theground wire4 to provide a strain relief to theground wire4. The

tines

28,48 engage the

panels

6,8 respectively to provide a grounding path therebetween. As the

panels

6,8 are inserted into the grounding clips2, the

tines

28,48 will exert pressure on the surfaces of the

panels

6,8 thereby providing a wiping action as the insertion occurs to remove any contamination on the surfaces of the

panels

6,8. This provides a reliable electrical connection between the

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, groundingclip202 has apanel contact section210 and awire contact section260. Thepanel contact section210 has a firstpanel receiving portion220 and a secondpanel receiving portion240. When viewed from the perspective ofFIG. 12, thepanel contact section210 has a generally S-shaped configuration, however, as shown inFIG. 8, the firstpanel receiving portion220 and the secondpanel receiving portion240 are each generally U-shaped. The firstpanel receiving portion220 and the secondpanel receiving portion240 are staggered from each other and are connected by a connectingportion258 ofwall224.

The firstpanel receiving portion220 has a pair of

oppositely facing walls

222 and224 extending from acentral bight226. Both electrical and mechanical interconnection to thefirst panel6 is established by tines orserrations228 formed inwardly along theedges230 ofwall224 of the firstpanel receiving section220. These tines orserrations228 protrude inwardly from thewall224 and form an inclined gripping engagement with thefirst panel6. Eachtine228 is inclined inwardly relative to thewall224 and extends toward thebight226. Thetines228 have a greater retention force when subjected to a straight pull exerted on the firstpanel receiving portion220 than when subjected to a force tending to impart rotation to the firstpanel receiving portion220. The tines orserrations228 have sharp points which facilitate digging into thefirst panel6. Since thetines228 are inclined towards thebight226, the firstpanel receiving portion220 can be inserted onto the edge of thefirst panel6. During insertion the tines orserrations228 will be deflected inwardly. It can readily be seen that it would require a greater extraction force to remove the firstpanel receiving portion220 from thefirst panel6 than the force required to insert the firstpanel receiving portion220 onto thefirst panel6.

The secondpanel receiving portion240 has a pair of

oppositely facing walls

242 and224 extending from acentral bight246. Both electrical and mechanical interconnection to thesecond panel8 is established by tines orserrations248 formed inwardly along theedges250 ofwall224 of the secondpanel receiving section240. These tines orserrations248 protrude inwardly from thewall224 and form an inclined gripping engagement with thesecond panel8. Eachtine248 is inclined inwardly relative to thewall224 and extends toward thebight246. Thetines248 have a greater retention force when subjected to a straight pull exerted on the secondpanel receiving portion240 than when subjected to a force tending to impart rotation to the secondpanel receiving portion240. The tines orserrations248 have sharp points which facilitate digging into thesecond panel8. Since thetines248 are inclined towards thebight246, the secondpanel receiving portion240 can be inserted onto the edge of thesecond panel8. During insertion the tines orserrations248 will be deflected inwardly. It can readily be seen that it would require a greater extraction force to remove the secondpanel receiving portion240 from thesecond panel8 than the force required to insert the secondpanel receiving portion240 onto thesecond panel8.

As is best shown inFIG. 12, the firstpanel receiving portion220 and the secondpanel receiving section240 havewall224 in common. However in this embodiment, thewall224 extends from the firstpanel receiving portion220 to the second panel receiving section and has the connectingportion258 therebetween.Bight226 extends from afirst edge232 of thewall224. The open end of the firstpanel receiving recess236 is formed in the firstpanel receiving portion220 opposite thebight226.Bight246 extends from asecond edge254 of thewall224. The open end of the secondpanel receiving recess256 is formed in the secondpanel receiving portion240 opposite thebight246. As best shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the open end of the firstpanel receiving recess236 and the open end of the secondpanel receiving recess256 face in opposite directions. Although the open ends face in opposite directions in the embodiment shown, other configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

As best shown inFIGS. 11 through 13, thewire contact section260 extends from thewall222 of the firstpanel receiving portion220. Thewire contact section260 has acrimp section262 with astrain relief section264 of conventional construction suitable for establishing an electrical connection to the stripped end of aninsulated wire4. In this embodiment, thecontact section260 has atransition section266 which extends from thewall222 to thecrimp section262. Thetransition section266 allows thecrimp section262 and thestrain relief section264 to be spaced from thewall222. Additionally, thetransition section266 allows thecrimp section262 and thestrain relief section264 to have their longitudinal axis positioned in a line which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thebight226. This configuration is generally referred to as a right angled version. No portion of thewire contact section260 extends into the extended space of the firstpanel receiving recess236. Consequently, neither thewire contact section260 nor thewire4 will interfere with the insertion of thefirst panel6 into the firstpanel receiving recess236.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, theground wire4, thefirst panel6 and thesecond panel8 are positioned in electrical engagement with thegrounding clip202.Crimp section262 is crimped to theground wire4, placing thegrounding clip202 in electrical engagement with theground wire4.Strain relief section264 engages theground wire4 to provide a strain relief to theground wire4. The

tines

228,248 engage the

panels

6,8 respectively to provide a grounding path therebetween. As the

panels

6,8 are inserted into the grounding clips202, the

tines

228,248 will exert pressure on the surfaces of the

panels

6,8. This provides a reliable electrical connection between the

tines

228,248 and the

panels

6,8.

Referring toFIG. 16, an example of the use of this type of ground clip is shown. A ballast90 is represented having a ballast can92 and ballast lid94. For purposes of illustration, all three

grounding clips

2,102,202 are shown terminated to awire4, a first panel or ballast can92 and a second panel or ballast lid94. In the field, only one grounding clip would be used for this type of application. In each case, the wire, the ballast can and the ballast lid are ground by the use of the

respective grounding clip

2,102,202.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the orientation of the respective panel receiving portions and the orientation of the wire contact sections can be varied and the method of terminating the wire can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. The number of panel receiving portions can also be increased if it is desirable to have more than two panels grounded to the ground wire. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A grounding clip comprising:

a wire terminating section for terminating a grounding wire thereto;

a first panel receiving portion for terminating a first panel therein, the first panel receiving portion having tines which are inclined inwardly into the first panel receiving portion;

a second panel receiving portion for terminating a second panel therein;

wherein the wire terminating section, the first panel receiving portion and the second panel receiving portion conduct current thereacross to provide grounding between components electrically connected thereto.

2. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 1 wherein the first panel receiving portion has a first wall and an oppositely facing second wall, the first wall and the oppositely facing second wall extending from a bight portion.

3. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 2 wherein the tines extend inwardly from proximate edges of the first wall, the tines being inclined inwardly relative to the first wall and extending toward the bight portion.

4. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 3 wherein the tines have sharp points to facilitate making an electrical connection with a first panel when the first panel is inserted into the first panel receiving portion.

5. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 1 wherein the second panel receiving portion has a first wall and an oppositely facing second wall, the first wall and the oppositely facing second wall extending from a bight portion.

6. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 5 wherein second tines extend inwardly from proximate edges of the first wall, the tines being inclined inwardly relative to the first wall and extending toward the bight portion.

7. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 6 wherein the second tines have sharp points to facilitate making an electrical connection with a second panel when the second panel is inserted into the second panel receiving portion.

8. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 1 wherein the first panel receiving portion has a first outside wall and an oppositely facing inside wall, the outside wall and the inside wall extending from a first bight portion, the second panel receiving portion having a second outside wall and the oppositely facing inside wall, the second outside wall and the inside wall extending from a second bight portion, the first bight portion extending from a first edge of the inside wall and the second bight portion extending from an oppositely facing second edge of the inside wall.

9. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 8 wherein the wire terminating section extends from the first outside wall of the first panel receiving portion.

10. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 9 wherein the wire terminating section has a transition section which spaces a crimp section of the wire terminating section from the first outside wall.

11. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 8 wherein the inside wall has a connecting portion which extends between the first panel receiving portion and the second panel receiving portion.

12. A grounding clip comprising:

a wire terminating section for terminating a grounding wire thereto;

a first panel receiving portion for terminating a first panel therein, the first panel receiving portion having a first outside wall and an oppositely facing inside wall, the outside wall and the inside wall extending from a first bight portion;

a second panel receiving portion for terminating a second panel therein, the second panel receiving portion having a second outside wall and the oppositely facing inside wall, the second outside wall and the inside wall extending from a second bight portion;

the first bight portion extending from a first edge of the inside wall and the second bight portion extending from an oppositely facing second edge of the inside wall;

13. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 12 wherein the inside wall has a connecting portion which extends between the first panel receiving portion and the second panel receiving portion.

14. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 12 wherein tines extend inwardly from proximate edges of the first outside wall and the second outside wall, the tines being inclined inwardly relative to the respective first outside wall and the second outside wall and extending toward the respective first bight portion and second bight portion.

15. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 14 wherein the tines have sharp points to facilitate making an electrical connection with a respective first panel and a respective second panel when the first panel is inserted into the first panel receiving portion and the second panel is inserted into the second panel receiving portion.

16. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 12 wherein tines extend inwardly from proximate edges of the inside wall, the tines being inclined inwardly relative to the inside wall and extending toward the respective first bight portion and second bight portion.

17. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 12 wherein the wire terminating section extends from the first outside wall of the first panel receiving portion.

18. The grounding clip as recited inclaim 17 wherein the wire terminating section has a transition section which spaces a crimp section of the wire terminating section from the first outside wall.